All fair activities take place at the Houston Farm and Ranch Club, 1 Abercrombie Drive, located off Texas 6 N. at Patterson Road, about 2.5 miles north of Interstate 10.

Alan Higginbotham, who serves as chairman of the fair, said, "The money that we raise from the fair all goes to scholarships. We hand out scholarships every year; we're supporting youth and education."

A stampede of fun

Youngsters will begin checking in their animals Wednesday, Sept. 5, and show them Sept. 6-7.

Higginbotham said about 450 animals have already been registered for participation in the livestock show.

"All the animals will be shown Thursday and Friday, and Friday evening will be our grand entry at 6:15," he said.

After that, members of 4-H and FFA groups throughout the county will participate in a variety of events, with the youngest galloping to the finish line in a stick-horse riding contest.

Many children have already registered for the mutton-bustin' contest, but Higginbotham said if there's room for more, they can register the day of the event. Children must weigh less than 60 pounds to compete.

"Bull riding will be going on all night. The first bull's going to hit the gate at 6:45, and we have 50 of them," Higginbotham said. "Intermittently during the bull riding, we'll be doing the mutton bustin'."

Roll call for the calf scramble begins at 7 p.m., with the event starting at 8 p.m. Youngsters weighing at least 100 pounds will battle for the chance to take home a calf.

Bull-riding finals will begin as soon as the calf scramble is over, and will be followed by a live musical performance by Lonely Road Boys.

Livestock judging Saturday, Sept. 8, will be followed by a buyers' luncheon at noon and the live auction at 1:30 p.m.